President Obama on Tuesday nominated new ambassadors to Afghanistan and Pakistan, the front lines in the United States's war against Islamist militants in South Asia.

James Cunningham, nominated to serve as ambassador to Afghanistan, has been serving at the embassy in Kabul since last June and is currently the deputy ambassador. He will replace Ryan Crocker, who is stepping down after serving just one year, citing health reasons.

In neighboring Pakistan, Richard Olson has been tapped to replace Cameron Munter, who also resigned after less than two years on the job. Olson is currently the coordinating director for development and economic affairs at the embassy in Kabul.

“He just talked about the stupidity of the sequester," said Sen. Coburn, after Cheney addressed the Senate GOP conference Tuesday.

Reid said Cheney's former company Halliburton flourished after he became vice president, profiting from government contracts during the Iraq war.

Syria's ambassador to Iraq told the BBC that Assad can be expected to use chemical weapons against his opponents.

Senators in both parties said delaying $500 billion in defense cuts for a year is the best possible solution.

Sen. Rand Paul's measure would block all aid until Pakistan releases a doctor who helped the U.S. locate bin Laden.

A liberal-leaning national security group has a six-figure ad campaign attacking four Republicans, including potential vice presidential pick Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), over their opposition to the Navy’s biofuels program.

The Truman National Security Project’s Operation Free campaign released the ads Tuesday, in which a veteran is shown asking why the lawmakers don’t “trust” the military leaders on biofuels.

“When the Navy says advanced American biofuels make our forces more effective and energy-independent, I trust them,” the veteran, Chris Marzoni, says in the ad against Portman. “That’s why I’m disappointed that some in Congress are trying to stop our military’s biofuels programs. Sen. Portman, I’m a veteran, and I trust our military leaders. Why don’t you?”

The meeting comes as lawmakers ratchet up their focus on the impending $500 billion in defense cuts. 

The House Armed Services Committee Chairman feels he’s run into a brick wall attempting to stop defense cuts.